A GWENT community farm manager, sacked after complaints of bullying and harassment, has lost his unfair dismissal case.

An employment tribunal in Cardiff heard how Desmond Swords, 42, of Thistle Court, Ty Canol, Cwmbran, was accused by colleagues at Greenmeadow Community Farm of shouting, swearing and reducing some to tears.

But the tribunal found in favour of Torfaen council yesterday. Mr Swords worked at Greenmeadow farm for nine years before he was suspended on full pay while his conduct was investigated.

He was sacked in December 2003 after a hearing was held where several employees gave evidence.

It was alleged Mr Swords cut the pay of some members of staff without consulting them.

Mr Swords insisted he behaved fairly.

"If the staff weren't doing their job and wasting time, that was putting added pressure on me," he told the tribunal.

On occasions I might have shouted but not nastily or anything like that." Mr Swords, who said he did not receive any management training, also denied harassing staff.

He said he gave "100% to the council and to the farm" and some staff members had been "ganging up" on him.

Wife Wendy Swords worked at the farm as a catering assistant. She told the tribunal: "He dedicated his life to the farm - probably too much."

She denied her husband bullied staff.

"He would just ask them what they were doing and ask them to find something to do," she said.

"I never heard him shout."